What are "Patron Saints"? Are all saints Catholics?

Answer 1

Catholic and Orthodox churches create new saints. Many reformed churches (in particular the C of E) are happy to work with the old ones, but not the newer ones since they split with Rome.

Patron saints are ones with a particular connection with an occupation or some other group of people. Sometimes the connection is obvious: at other times it's a bit obscure. Why England should have an Armenian soldier as our patron saint, I've no idea.

Answer 2

I'd be interested in hearing other views but I thought (as an Anglican) that only the Pope could create a saint? In most cases, the saints are common in all Christian faiths (and in some cases Moslem also) but largely these traditions are fossilised and antiquated and therefore share a common ground. As far as patron saints are concerned I think this is founded on longstanding tradition, that may stem from Catholic (eg St. George as the patron saint of England etc) where the country or other has changed from Catholic to another.

I'm curious to hear an expert view.

Answer 3

Some other Christians use the term "saints," but usually in the generic, rather than naming names. Exception is sometimes made for the gospel-writers. Only the Catholics have a pantheon of saints that rivals the ancient pagan pantheon of gods and goddesses. Indeed, many of the Catholic saints ARE pagan gods and goddesses made over to be acceptable to the church. Saint Brigid is a prime example. Brigid is actually the name of a holiday, February first, which is celebrated by pagans as marking the point where winter is nearly done and spring is starting to show. Milk and cookies are used in ritual instead of the usual cakes and wine, to symbolize the newborn lambs and other baby animals who are bringing the milk up.

Answer 4

Patron saints, if I understand it, are saints that concern themselves with particular aspects or causes of human beings or even animals. I've never heard of any saints that weren't Catholic, and do not recall ever hearing of another belief system that decides that a person is a saint.

Answer 5

Patron saints are saints that are close and familiar with a cause, such as St. Francis of Assisi- the patron saint of animals. He took a vow of poverty and chastity and was known for his love of animals.

Just to clear up what some one else said in their answer-
"many of the Catholic saints ARE pagan gods and goddesses made over to be acceptable to the church"

That is untrue. Catholic saints ARE NOT pagan gods and goddesses. They are all human beings who have lived holy lives and have miracles attributed to their names. Statues of saints are not worshipped, they are somewhat admired. Just as you may look at a photo of a loved one and recall memories, praying before a statue is like a reminder of how truly amazing people can be. Not any sort of 'idol worship' or 'paganism.' If that is paganism, then anyone in possession of a photograph is a pagan.

Answer 6

Catholicism is not the only denomination to believe in saints, but Protestants no longer create them so all post-Reformation saints are Catholic or Orthodox. I'm not sure if Protestants believe as firmly as Catholics that by venerating a particular saint you can get him/her to intercede with God on your behalf.

Few know that during its early years the Anglican church created saints. The last was King Charles I - not sure how saintly he was, but there is a Charles the Martyr Society which has a memorial service on Whitehall every January.

Answer 7

Catholics share the belief in the Communion of Saints with many other Christians, including the Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, Episcopal, and Methodist Churches.

The Communion of Saints is the belief where all saints are intimately related in the Body of Christ, a family. When you die and go to heaven, you do not leave this family.

Everyone in heaven or on their way to heaven are saints, you, me, my deceased grandmother, Mary the mother of Jesus, and Mother Teresa.

As part of this family, you may ask your family and friends here on earth to pray for you. Or, you may also ask the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Andrew, or your deceased grandmother in heaven to pray for you.

Prayer to saints in heaven is simple communication, not worship.

All saints are not Catholics. Abraham, Moses, and David are saints that are not Catholics. Adam and Eve may even be saints.

All saints canonized by the Catholic church are Catholics (to the best of my knowledge).

Patron saints are saints that have been intimately related to a place, vocation, illness, etc. that are asked to pray for those in that place, vocation, illness, etc.

St. Christopher is the patron saint of travelers so travelers say, "St. Christopher, pray for us."

With love in Christ.

Answer 8

In those denominations of Christianity which believe in the intercession of saints, the patron saint of a particular group of people is a saint who has special affinity for that group and its members.

Since all saints are dead, they are no longer of any religion

Answer 9

the catholic church "cannonizes" people making them saints. a patron saint is one that you pray to for a specific reason. the way saint christopher is the patron of the traveler

Answer 10

no,they are not all catholics.there are orthodox saints too.im not very relogios,but i know patron saint means a saint that protects something(for example patron saint of a country,that means the saint that protects that country)